Filtering digital images

Abstract

A digital camera used for photographing and storing in memory photographic images. The memory is attached to the digital camera. The camera includes a quality grading mechanism which assigns quality values respectively to the stored image based on parameters such as focus quality, brightness, contrast, and image size. An expected improvement of the value is calculated by applying a correction algorithm to the stored images. The digital camera includes an input mechanism which triggers the camera to display the images in an new order based on one or more of the quality values. Alternatively, one or more of the photographic images may be deleted based on the quality values.

1 . A system comprising: 
 (a) a digital camera which photographs and stores in memory a plurality of stored images, said memory attached to said digital camera; and    (b) a grading mechanism which assigns respectively at least one value to each of said stored images based on at least one parameter of said stored images;    wherein said digital camera includes:    (i) a display mechanism which displays said stored images in a nominal order; and    (ii) an input mechanism which triggers said camera to display said stored images in an order, other than said nominal order, based on said at least one value.    
   
   
       2 . The system, according to  claim 1 , wherein said grading mechanism includes a processor which controls said memory.  
   
   
       3 . The system, according to  claim 2 , wherein said memory is removable from said digital camera and wherein said processor is permanently attached to said memory.  
   
   
       4 . The system, according to  claim 1 , wherein said grading mechanism includes a processor which controls the digital camera.  
   
   
       5 . The system, according to  claim 1 , wherein said at least one parameter is selected from the group consisting of: focus quality, brightness, sharpness, contrast, and image size.  
   
   
       6 . The system, according to  claim 1 , wherein said at least one parameter includes at least two parameters and wherein said at least one value is calculated based on said at least two said parameters.  
   
   
       7 . The system, according to  claim 1 , wherein said system stores in said memory at least one reference value for said at least one parameter and wherein said at least one value is calculated relative to said at least one reference value.  
   
   
       8 . The system, according to  claim 1 , wherein said display mechanism further displays said at least one value.  
   
   
       9 . A method for displaying a plurality of stored photographic images photographed with a digital camera, the method comprising the steps of: 
 (a) providing the digital camera with the photographic images stored in memory attached to the digital camera;    (b) grading the photographic images thereby assigning respectively at least one value respectively to each of said images based on at least one image parameter;    (c) displaying the stored images in a nominal order; and    (d) triggering said camera to display said stored images in an order, other than said nominal order, based on said at least one value.    
   
   
       10 . The method, according to  claim 9 , further comprising the step of: 
 (c) deleting at least one of the stored images based on said at least one value.    
   
   
       11 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein said deleting is automatic.  
   
   
       12 . The method according to  claim 10 , further comprising the step of: 
 (d) selectably inputting by a user of the digital camera an instruction either to: 
 (i) perform said deleting; or  
 (ii) ignore, thereby bypassing said deleting.  
   
   
   
       13 . The method, according to  claim 9 , further comprising the step of: 
 (c) calculating the expected improvement of said at least one value by applying a correction algorithm.    
   
   
       14 . The method, according to  claim 13 , further comprising the step of: 
 (d) selectably inputting by a user of the digital camera an instruction either to: 
 (i) perform said improvement, thereby improving said at least one value; or  
 (ii) ignore, thereby bypassing said improvement.  
   
   
   
       15 . The method, according to  claim 13 , further comprising the step of, prior to said calculating: 
 (d) inputting by a user of the digital camera a standing instruction to automatically perform said calculating to said stored images.    
   
   
       16 . A method for displaying a plurality of photographic images photographed with a digital camera, wherein the photographic images are stored in memory attached to the digital camera, the method comprising the steps of: 
 (a) calculating at least one photographic parameter for each of said stored images; and    (b) triggering the digital camera to display the images in an order based on said at least one photographic parameter selected from the group consisting of: 
 (i) at least one quality value;  
 (ii) a correlation of the photographic images;  
 (iii) photographic image coloration.  
   
   
   
       17 . The method, according to  claim 16 , further comprising the step of: 
 (b) filtering the photographic images based on said at least one photographic parameter.    
   
   
       18 . The method, according to  claim 16 , further comprising the step of: 
 (b) deleting at least one of the photographic images based on said at least one photographic parameter.    
   
   
       19 . A system comprising: 
 (a) a digital camera which photographs and stores in memory a plurality of stored images, said memory attached to said digital camera; and    (b) a grading mechanism which assigns respectively at least one value to each of said stored images based on at least one parameter of said stored images;    wherein said digital camera includes a delete mechanism which deletes at least one of said stored images based on said at least one value.    
   
   
       20 . A method for deleting at least one stored image from a plurality of stored photographic images photographed with a digital camera, the method comprising the steps of: 
 (a) providing the digital camera with the photographic images stored in memory attached to the digital camera;    (b) grading the photographic images thereby assigning respectively at least one value respectively to each of said photographic images based on at least one image parameter; and    (c) deleting the at least one of said stored images based on said at least one value.    
   
   
       21 . The method, according to  claim 20 , further comprising the step of, prior to said deleting: 
 (d) selectably inputting by a user of the digital camera an instruction either to: 
 (i) perform said deleting; or  
 (ii) ignore, thereby bypassing said deleting.  
   
   
   
       22 . The method, according to  claim 20 , wherein said deleting is performed automatically.